MAE 656 - Advanced

Computer Aided Design

05. Shells and Membranes Doc 03

Coupling Shell Elements with

Solid Elements
 Introduction
In this session we will learn how to create shell structures
from solid elements.
We will also see how we can couple solid structures with
shell structures.
This last option can be used when some structural
component, attached to a shell structure, wants to be
studied in detail. i.e. ply drop-off

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 Introduction
Specifically, we will learn:
1. How to create shells structures from the mid-plane of
solid elements
2. How to create shell structures from the outer surfaces of
solid elements
3. How solid elements can be coupled with shell elements

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 Base Model
As base model we will
use the following
beam support. We will
first solve it as a solid
structure.
The support is made
of Structural Steel

The support dimensions and loads

have been obtained from Huei-
Huang Lee. Finite Element
Simulations with ANSYS Workbench
13. Theory Applications Case
Studies. SDC Publications (2011)

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 Base Model - Geometry

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Base Model - Geometry
To create the solid geometry, we will first define the
support seat plate, in plane xz.
We will create it as three different sketches that will be
extruded 16mm as frozen.

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Base Model - Geometry
The web plate is
defined extruding
5mm in direction
Both - Symmetric a
sketch drawn in xy
plane.
The web plate is
defined as Add
Material

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Base Model - Geometry
The last step consists in blending the external corners with
a radius of 16mm and the connection of the seat plate with
the web with a radius of 10mm

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Base Model - Mesh
The solid will be
meshed with the
automatic mesh
suggested by Ansys,
using a relevance value
of 100

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Base Model Boundary Conditions
The boundary conditions applied are a pressure of 1.0MPa
in the seat plate.
The edge of the
web plate is fixed
supported.

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Base Model Results
The main two results that will be studied are the total
displacement and the Von-Mises stresses

Total Deformation Von-Mises Stress

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 Shell Create Mid-plane Surfaces
In Design Modeler > Tools, there is an option that creates
surface elements at the mid-surface of solids. This process
can be done manually or automatic

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Shell Create Mid-plane Surfaces
The result is the shell model sought.

We will apply the same

boundary conditions to
this model and we will
compare the results with
those obtained from the
solid simulation

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Shell Create Surfaces from Solids
The solid contour can be
used to create 3D surfaces.
This is done with the
command Thin/Surface
that can be found in
Design Modeler > Create.
This command asks us to
define the surfaces of the
solid geometry that we
want to use as surfaces.

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Shell Create Surfaces from Solids
If a thickness is specified,
the result is a thin walled
solid. If thickness is
defined as zero, the result
is a surface element.

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Shell Create Surfaces from Solids
As we have done with the other shell model, we will apply
the same boundary conditions defined for the 3D case and
we will analyze the results obtained.
In this case, the results are substantially different, as the
structural element studied is also different.

MAE656 cba Dr.XavierMartinez,2012 05.ShellsandMembranes Doc03

 Shell-Solid model
If the center solid is not
transformed into shell
elements, we will end up
with three different parts:
a solid body and two
surface bodies

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 Shell-Solid model
We will not group these three bodies in a single part;
because Ansys Workbench does not recognize a single part
with surfaces and solids (only the solid will be displayed).
The union of these three
parts is done in the Design
Modeler, using the body to
body connection.

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 Shell-Solid model
Once all bodies are connected, the mesh is defined, and the
boundary conditions are applied, it is possible to calculate
the solution.

The solution obtained with this model will be compared

with the solution obtained with all previous models.

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